All's Not Always Fair In The Military

July 06, 1997

When it comes to love and war, the military is becoming its own worst enemy. Regarding sex between consenting adults, the military code of justice is out of date, unevenly applied and inconsistently enforced. Focusing a microscope on personal lives is distracting and may be costing the military more than a few good men and women.

Take the latest scandal. Air Force Second Lt. William Kite, a seven-year veteran with an excellent record, faces court-martial. He could spend up to 14 years in jail. His crime? He fell in love with a woman of lower rank and denied the relationship.

Coercion was not a factor in the pairing, as it apparently was in case of an Army drill sergeant who took sexual advantage of his female charges. Nor was adultery, as in the case of Lt. Kelly Flinn. The woman, Rhonda Kutzer, was subordinate to Lt. Kite, but she wasn't under his supervision. The two married after she was discharged from the service and are expecting a child.

But their contact violated rules against fraternization between ranks. Whiteman Air Force Base, where Lt. Kite was stationed, has a reputation for aggressively pursuing rumors of violations. When confronted with the relationship, Lt. Kite tried to hide it.

Lying is a serious matter. Still, Lt. Kite owned up to his mistake. His wife is no longer in the service. His indiscretion should not negate his exemplary service. He is a decorated war veteran, a former enlisted man who went back to school to become an officer.

Isn't this the type of officer the Air Force wants? Military leaders are fooling themselves if they view a spotless sexual history as a basic requirement for service. Under no circumstances should sexual conduct interfere with military duties or be permitted to disrupt the chain of command. But what people do in their private lives should be their own business.

The military need not condone adultery to recognize that aspects of the most basic of human emotions can't be codifed. Women now make up 15 percent of the military force. Chances are greater than they used to be that people who work together will fall in love.

It's time to get real and set reasonable rules that apply evenly to all ranks and all branches of the military. While the military code is back in the shop for retooling, charges against Lt. Kite ought to be re-evaluated.